E-ducation: the Development of Online Education

Online education has grown tremendously over the last few years. Not only are colleges and universities now embracing this method but there is also a network of websites that support this kind of learning. An interactive e learning system enables access anytime, anywhere and are perfect for getting a step up in your learning. Here are just some of the benefits to come from the development of online education.

Any Medium

Whether it is from books, video or even on the phone, learning can be offered through many different communication mediums. Many companies and learning institutions now use virtual classrooms to offer students the chance to learn in a way that suits them. Often there will be slides created for a specific course then either through talking or typing, the student can interact with the teacher from a distance. Both the student and teacher are able to interact with the course material.

Anywhere

The best part of online education is the ability to take part in a course from any location in the world. This method was first introduced in the 1960s when computers were just starting to be introduced to the world and experiments with computer-based learning were first introduced. This was the start of ‘anywhere learning.’ In today’s world online education has been adopted by many different institutions. Students are able to learn from teachers that they would never be able to meet face-to-face.

Anytime

Another benefit to online education is the chance to learn the subject of your choosing at any time of day, in any time zone. Students are able to engage in their work at their leisure and not just confined to the school time hours that are often constrictive in nature. Because of this flexibility, both students and teachers are able to communicate more effectively.

Different Styles of Learning

Not everyone learns in the same way. Nor do teachers all use the same teaching methods. With online learning, not only do students and teachers have the ability to learn visually, they are able to learn audibly as well as learning hands on. Online programs are very beneficial as there are literally millions of references that can be used to supplement the program curriculum. From video websites that display the correct way to accomplish a task to the articles that can be pulled from the Internet in a few keystrokes, everything is at your fingertips.

Though we are just beginning to see the benefits of online learning, the results so far are extremely positive. Online learning is an all-encompassing way to deliver education to students both young and old, as well as connect people through technology in ways that we have previously been unable to do.

Amanda Walters – This article was written by Amanda Walters, an experienced freelance writer and regular contributor to Huffington Post. Follow her here: @Amanda_W84